The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 21 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

328 ment, threw them in the wagon, and started his horses ata lope. which, however, they soon stopped in spite of his urging. But this running competition benefited neither party, as the boys soon found. If they stopped to make a sale, Mason was liable to pass them, and after four miles had been covered, Dick said ; ‘*We are making no more now than before. Iam going to run the risk of his passing and stopping at the next house.” And he did so. . The household was very slow to purchase. Dick was in the midst of an elaborate description of his goods, when a warning shout came from the wagon, and, catching up the goods, he unceremoniously decamped ; but before he reached the gate Mason went by with the langh of a deep, double dyed villain. ‘*T would likey to know what we gained by that changing about ?” demanded Dick, hastily returning the articles to the wagon and clainbering up to the seat. ‘Time,’ replied Chub laconically. ‘Yes, and that is about all,¥ went on Dick. little faster anel catch up with, him. Perhaps we to an understanding.” ‘*T doubt it " said Jack, Mason looked back at the sound of their approach, and started to wh.p his horses, when Dick called : “Don’t be in ahurry. We are not going to pass you, I give you my word.” : ‘*No, I reckon not,” replied Mason sarcastically, showing by his tone that he did not believe them. ‘‘ What do you fellers mear, doggin’ me around the country ?” ‘* Doggitg you !” repeated Chub indignantly. ‘‘ Better ask yourself that question, sir! That was a very shabby trick you tried back in Illinois.” Mr. Mason grinned. ‘And you are liable to get into trouble aboat it yet,” tinned Chub. The grin vanished. ‘* How'd you know I had anythin’ to do with stealin’ your wagon ?" he demanded in a blustering tone. “Now, who said anything about stealing our wagon ?” cried Dick. ‘* He may have meant those horrible prevari- cations you told about us. As for the stealing of the wagon, Foxy said that you gave them five dollars as an induce- ment.” Mr. Mason’s jaw dropped. fully angry, and declared : “Tf I can’t sell nothing, I'll see that you don’t !”’ “You can certainly act reasonable,” said Dick sharply. “There are enough customers on this road for both of us. You can take one side of the road or the other, or every other house ; just as you like.” “TH have the whole hog or none,” “All T can say for you,” are the most contemptible man I ‘“ Never mind, Chub, cried Dick quietly. Then to Mason he continued: ‘' If you can afford to drive over the country without making any sales we can. J] am afraid if: you stick to that resolution to have the whole hog or none, you will get none.” ‘ You think so, do you?” returned Mason, in exasperating fashion. Then the horses plodded along, both parties stubbornly holding their positions. Mason gared wistfully at the houses they passed, but made no attempt to stop, and the boys, feel- ing that their fair proposition was rejected, kept their horses’ ‘‘ Drive a can come Con- Then he pretended to get aw- retorted Mason. cried Chub angrily, ‘‘1s that you 8 THE ARGOSY noses at the back of his wagon, and had no twinges of con- science either. CHAPTER XXVIII GOOD BY TO JACK. TT HE distance between the peddling wagons and the Pacific coast was gradually lessened. At night Mason and the boys stopped at the same farmhouse, and all the evening Mason and Andy held proudly aloof. He was upat an early hour and oiled his wagon. The boys were watching for him to give them the slip, but he did not, and in the same position they occupied the previous day, they drove away from the farmhouse. They had gone perhaps a mile when Mason looked back with a satisfied grin, and said: ‘¢ I'm goin’ to trot up now. Moberly ain't far ahead. If you've got anything to tell them [ll carry the news.” “Very obliging ne you,” returned Chub. ‘ You might tell them to look for us ten minutes before you arrive.” Mr. Mason scratched his head in perplexity ; then bestow- ing a very amiable grin on the boys, chirruped to his horses, and then drove on at a trot. ‘‘Our horses can stand as much as his,” said Dick, promptly keeping pace. ‘' Something seems to tickle him almightly, for look at him look back and grin. Wonder what itis?” As if to reply to Dick's question, the wagon suddenly gave a lurch, the rear dropped solidly in the road, and it stopped, the horses unable to draw it. ‘‘ Great Christopher !”’ cried Chub, jumping down. of the wheels has run off !'” ‘That's queer,” said Jack, following suit and, as he landed in the road, immoderate laughter arose from Mason's wagon. “Til bet this js what Mason was looking for, ‘* Where is the nut?” ‘Yes, where 's the nut?” echoed Chub. The boys searched along the road for a distance it seemed impossible the wagon could have run without it, but no nut was found, and they returned to the team. “There is nothing gained sitting here doing nothing,” said Dick. ‘If Mason was not so far away, I believe I could say a few words to him that would please him mightily.” ‘« There is a farmhouse not far up the road there,” added Chub. ‘Suppose one of you go up there and see if you can't buy or borrow a nut that will fit, while the other two get the wheel on.” ‘<TH go,” volunteered Jack, and he started up the road. Chub and Dick, with the aid of a fence rail, lifted the axle and slipped the wheel on, and then sat down to wait for Jack. ‘“It takes him an awful long time,” length. him.” And when he approached the house he saw an excited throng on the front porch, in the center of which was Jack, shaking hands with everybody. ‘Great Scott !” thought Chub. ‘: I wonder what is go- ing to happen next.” : And as he paused to survey the scene Jack caught sight of him, and called for him to come in. Not a little mysti- fied, Chub complied. «I'm both glad and sorry,” Jack began. ‘“Glad to have found my relations, and sorry to have to part with you. Mr. Matthews, this is my uncle, Mr. Walters, and this is And so on through the whole family; and Chub was so “One “cried Dick. Chub remarked at “Til walk up that way and see what is keeping ecomnieoooks COU